Delegations and traffic committees

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is the organisation responsible for the control of traffic on all roads in New South Wales under the Roads Act 1993 and the Road Transport Act 2013. In order to deal with the increased need for locally managed traffic control, TfNSW delegated certain aspects of the control of traffic on local roads to councils.

TfNSW has retained both the control of traffic on the State's classified road network and the control of traffic signals on all roads.

The main delegation to councils (Roads and Maritime Services – Delegation to Councils – Regulation of Traffic) limits the types of prescribed traffic control devices and traffic control facilities that council may authorise and requires councils to comply with certain conditions when doing so. One of these conditions requires councils to obtain the advice of TfNSW and NSW Police prior to proceeding with proposals at a 'Local Traffic Committee'.

Local Traffic Committees

Councils generally obtain advice by establishing a Local Traffic Committee, composed of four formal members each with one vote. These four members are a representative from council, NSW Police, TfNSW and the local State Member of Parliament or their nominee.

The Local Traffic Committee is an advisory body only, having no decision-making powers. It is, primarily, a technical review committee that is required to advise the council on traffic related matters referred to it by council.

Temporary Delegation

In 2023, the Temporary Delegation to Councils No.2 (the Temporary Delegation) was issued to give councils an optional alternative pathway (separate from the Local Traffic Committee process) to implement select works supportive of the following:

  • Walking
  • Cycling
  • Public amenity
  • Road safety
  • Parking management

For more information, please visit Temporary delegation to councils for minor works.

Sub-delegation authorisation

As of late 2023, clause 6 of the Roads and Maritime Services – Delegation to Councils – Regulation of Traffic has been revoked. This clause related to sub-delegation of functions in Division 2 of Part 8 of the Roads Act 1993. Revocation of this clause has the effect of permitting councils to sub-delegate functions in Division 2 of Part 8 to employees of the council. 

Please note the following:

  • This permission is subject to condition 11 of Schedule 4 of the Temporary Delegation – which states that sub-delegation is only permitted where the proposed works have been referred to Local Traffic Committee and the proposal has received unanimous support.
  • Revocation of cl.6 and the application of condition 11 in Schedule 4 of the Temporary Delegation are both permanent measures and do not expire.

For reference to the Temporary Delegation instrument, please visit Temporary delegation to councils for minor works.

Downloads

Please note that cl. 6 of the Roads and Maritime Services – Delegation to Councils has been revoked, subject to paragraph 11 in Schedule 4 of the Temporary Delegation to Councils No.2.